WARTS,MOLESAND OTHERWORRIES
91 ShouldIworry aboutthismole?
Most cancers in a mole, or melanomas, actually occur as a totally new mole rather than a change in an existing one, says consultant dermatologist Dr Rachael Morris- Jones of King’s College Hospital in London.
‘However, it’s still worth keeping an eye on any moles that you do have. Moles which may be cancerous are usually asymmetrical, have irregular borders and/ or variable colours within them, expand outwards or upwards and look different from your other moles. spontaneous bleeding or crusting can also be a suspicious sign.’
It’s the changes in flat moles you need to worry most about, adds Dr susan Mayou, a consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic in London.
‘A flat mole that becomes raised is more a cause for concern than a mole that’s always been raised,’ she says.
Generally hair-bearing moles are oK — if they’re bleeding, for example, it might be due to a small infection in the hair follicle, but ‘it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so if there’s anything that worries you — even intuitively rather than objectively — get it checked out by your GP’, says Dr Mayou.
92 WhatcanIdofor mychild’swarts?
WARts are the second most common skin problem in children after eczema, says Dr Adil sheraz, a consultant dermatologist at the Royal Free Hospital in London. they’re caused by the human papillomavirus, which triggers an overgrowth of cells.
‘they can be unsightly — and painful, if on the fingers or feet,’ says Dr sheraz. ‘Children are more prone to warts because their immune systems are still maturing, so the virus takes hold in the skin more easily.’
Warts can last up to ten years, but most will disappear on their own within two. over-the- counter treatments usually contain hydrogen peroxide or salicylic acid, which peel away the skin and the wart. Higher strength remedies (at concentrations of up to 50 per cent salicylic acid) are available on prescription.
‘With salicylic acid treatments, you have to soak the wart in warm water, then use a pumice stone to wear down the outer layer of dead skin, as you want the treatment to reach the virus underneath,’ says Dr sheraz, who also works at the skin Care Network clinic.
‘You then apply the acid, taking care not to expose surrounding skin by applying petroleum jelly around the wart, and then cover it with a dressing. this has to be done every day for a good few months.’ Warts can be frozen off with liquid nitrogen, but this can be painful and isn’t usually given to children.
some GPs offer this, but it’s mainly done in dermatology clinics. A lastresort treatment a dermatologist can offer is imiquimod cream; this contains a chemotherapy drug and is used in the same way as salicylic acid. ‘this isn’t licensed for children, but is used offlabel sometimes when nothing else has worked,’ says Dr sheraz.